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Many youth with HIV may be susceptible to measles, mumps and rubella

Many youth with HIV may be susceptible to measles, mumps, and rubella | Courtesy of sciencedaily.com

The National Institutes of Health recently collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to report that the majority of youth who have HIV infections may have inadequate immunity against measles, mumps and rubella despite receiving vaccinations.

An estimated one-third to one-half of people who live in the U.S. have HIV infections. The scientists found this figure in a study involving over 600 children as well as youth who had exposure to HIV inside the womb.

“Having a high level of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella is important not only for an individual’s health, but also for preventing disease outbreaks in the larger community,” NICHD Medical Officer George Siberry said. “Individuals infected with HIV at birth who did not have the benefit of combined anti-retroviral therapy before they were vaccinated should speak with their physician about whether they need a repeated course of the vaccine.”

Further details are available in the online publication of Clinical Infectious Diseases.